A. Young children are most likely to be bitten by their family dog. They are often blamed, but many bites are unprovoked or occur during play.

Children under 5 years old, who, because of their small size, risk being bitten on the face, head, or neck and must be checked by a doctor for both dog and cat bites no matter how severe or seemingly insignificant the bite is.

As baby begins to crawl and explore:

• Have a place where the dog can retreat that your child can’t get to.
• Create boundaries for both your child and the dog.
• Put a gate across the entrance to the baby’s room to keep the dog out.
• Keep your dog’s food off the floor. It could cause a child to choke.
• The dog can become aggressive if the baby moves toward his food while he’s eating.
• Store your pet’s medication out of the child’s reach.

What works?

Do you have tips to share about helping to keep a child from being harmed from the family dog?

More than 200 ways to help to keep a baby safer are in Baby-Everywhere

(www.babyeverywhere.com) products.

Seconds count in an emergency.  Without waiting call 9-1-1 for the following conditions:

Trouble breathing

• The baby is not breathing easily, and seems to work hard to  breathe. (For example, the baby’s nostrils flare; or make a crowing sound or grunts when trying to breathe.)

• Lips and skin remain blue in color. (This may mean that the baby is not getting enough oxygen.)

Not alert

• All newborn babies sleep most of the time. Still, when the baby is awake, he or she should be alert and looking around.

• If the baby does not seem responsive and is not alert over time, the baby should be checked by a doctor immediately.

• If the baby does not wake up on his or her own to eat, the baby should be checked by a doctor immediately.

Yellowish cast to the skin

• This may indicate the condition known as jaundice.

Pus, red skin or pain around the navel

• Might signal infection where the umbilical cord was severed and must be treated at once.

Continues to cough or choke whenever the baby is fed

• This could indicate a problem with the lungs or digestive tract.

Hard, swollen stomach area

• This may appear with vomiting. The baby may not have had a bowel movement for a day or two.

• The problem is probably constipation, but it could also be an intestinal problem.

Fever

• A fever that does not come down with medication the baby’s doctor has prescribed.

Febrile Convulsions, also called seizures

• Fever can trigger febrile convulsions. The baby may look “peculiar,” become stiff, twitch, and be unresponsive. Usually the entire convulsion will last no more than three to four minutes, or may be over in seconds.

If your baby has a medical condition

• Learn the warning signs that require immediate medical care.

Organize your baby’s medical history, the pediatrician’s instructions, emergency phone numbers and personal notes.

Baby-Everywhere Safe Baby Organizer keeps this information handy:

Click here for product information

This Information is from certified child safety seat installer, David Nakabayasi, and traffic safety specialists.

• Never ride with a child on your lap – it is the most dangerous place for a child to ride. In case of a car crash, you probably wouldn’t be able to hold on to your child. But even if you could, your body would crush the child as you were thrown against the dashboard and windshield.
• Keep children in the back seat – far away from the point of impact in a car collision, most often the front. The force of an opening air bag on a passenger-side will hit the seat close to the dashboard and can seriously injure or kill an infant.
• Infant seats must be rear-facing and in the back seat.
• Use a certified child safety seat installers. To be sure, have the seat rechecked you are using it correctly.
• As much as 90% of injuries and deaths are due to safety seats being used incorrectly.
• Read the instructions that come with the child seat (and keep them handy at all times).

Look for more car tips tomorrow…

Car Bags make it easy to find things for baby in the car. “We keep this bag in the car all the time – roomy enough to keep essentials for twins!” says Mona Parker.

A: Carbon monoxide CO is produced when any fuel, such as gas, natural gas, fuel oil, kerosene, wood, and coal, charcoal is burned, and can accumulate rapidly indoors. The fumes may cause headaches, fatigue, shortness of breath, nausea and dizziness – sometimes misdiagnosed as the flu – it can even be fatal within minutes. More than 500 people die each year in the U.S. from carbon monoxide poisoning.

A: Here are some tips on backyard safety:

• Eliminate poisonous plants where your child plays, contact the non-emergency number of your local Poison Control Center and they will direct you to a list of plants that are harmful.
• Put sand or wood chips under swings or play areas. Deep enough so it cushions a fall.
• Check swings and other play equipment for splintering, sharp edges, rust, loose bolts and screws.
• Keep the play area clean from pet droppings. Cover the sandbox when it’s not in use.
• Do not mow the lawn with a child nearby.
• Return gardening equipment to a locked shed or a place in the garage out of your child’s reach.
• Keep a lock on the outside of the gate to your yard higher than your child can reach.

Mom’s Diaper Bag is packed full of essential information
all new mothers need to know.